6 must see parks in Prague

Prague is an incredible place to visit and the entire historic center is actually listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city is made up of intricate cobblestone streets separated by architectural wonders and beautiful buildings as well as many monuments, some of which date back between the 11th and 18th centuries. On top of that, Prague is home to over 10 major museums and many art galleries, cinemas and theaters, so you have plenty of options for entertainment. There are also intriguing legends and stories about the city of Prague, like the supposedly haunted Charles Bridge whose ghosts have been seen floating across the river.

Did you know that Prague is situated on the longest river in the whole country? The Vltava River is a majestic waterway that runs straight through the heart of the city and spans over 430 kilometers in total. This is just one of the natural wonders that can be seen in Prague, and if you're an outdoor enthusiast then you'll want to check out some of these parks and gardens as well. Both tourists and locals can enjoy these public parks and they're always a nice place to go when you want to take a break from Prague sightseeing.

Once you arrive at Prague Airport, you'll want to get started right away. With so much to see and do in this intriguing city, don't let your bags weigh you down. Before you stop to enjoy the beautiful green spaces stow your stuff at a Prague luggage storage location. Easily booked on the Bounce app, luggage storage will come in handy when you need somewhere to store your shopping bags or hiking equipment.

Letna Park

Let's begin our list with one of the biggest parks in Prague, Letna Park. This gorgeous green space was built in 1860 and is situated on land that used to be a vineyard. Parkgoers can enjoy breathtaking views of the Old Town of Prague as well as the Vltava River and its bridges from within the park, and it's a wonderful place to hang out with friends and enjoy the sunshine. You can even spot the Zizkov TV Tower from here.

Inside the park, you'll find an area that is very popular for rollerblading and skateboarding. It's one of the best spots to spend an afternoon in the summertime with live music plus food and beer stands set up inside the grounds. One of the most exciting events that happens in the park is the Letni Letna Festival, a celebration held in the summer months that showcases all sorts of performances. In total, there are two beer gardens plus a restaurant situated in the Hanavsky Pavilion that dates back to 1891. We recommend grabbing food from the restaurant and a drink from the beer garden to have a picnic on the park grounds.

You'll find flat areas that are great for setting down a blanket or playing catch on, plus a playground for the kids. If the weather is nice in the warmer months they'll set up an open-air cinema and the park also hosts occasional music festivals. Did you know? Letna Park was formerly home to the largest monument to Joseph Stalin in the world between the years 1955 and 1962. The monument has since been removed and replaced by what is now one of the park's most noticeable landmarks, the metronome.

Stromovka Park

At almost 250 acres in size, this park is officially the largest in the city and is basically the central park of Prague. The area has been used as a green space since 1268 when King Premysl Otakar II founded it to be his royal hunting ground. Throughout its lifetime the park has undergone several expansions and was even used as a military camp at one point.

Stromovka Park is home to four ponds that are the perfect spot to picnic or even take a dip in the water if you want to escape the summer heat. There are plenty of shaded spots in the grass where you can sit and relax, as well as playgrounds for children to play in. Adventurous children will love to spend time on the small kids' island that can be reached using a rope raft. You'll also find restaurants, so you don't need to worry about packing food. You'll notice locals using the paths around the park for jogging, running, biking and rollerblading, and there are also sports facilities like tennis and volleyball courts. It's one of the city's best parks for cross-country skiing in the winter, too.

The planetarium is a fun place to check out while you're in Stromovka Park and it can be found close to the exhibition grounds by the edge of the green space. The Vystaviste Holesovice showgrounds, which were originally created in 1891 for the Jubilee Exhibition, host fairs and events every season. They're also where you'll come across the Morsky Svet aquarium and the Lapidarium which is a branch of the National Museum. If you're interested in the history of the park and city, stop by the summer palace located inside the park as well.

Kampa Park

Kampa Park, which can be found on one of the Prague islands, Kampa Island, should be on everyone's list of Prague parks to visit. The park is situated between the Devil's Inlet and the Vltava River, offering a beautiful view of the Charles Bridge from within the grounds. Although it's a bit small compared to the other spaces mentioned above, it's still a great park to get away from the busy city center.

Kampa Park is home to some interesting landmarks, including the Grand Priory Mill which has been around since the 15th century. You'll see several other mills from throughout the centuries along the river, some of which have been transformed into cute cafes. Take your journey through the park up the stream and you'll come across one of the most iconic spots in the city; the John Lennon Wall.

It's impossible to not notice the huge baby statues that can be seen crawling around the grounds, they are the works of David Cerny and can also be observed crawling up the Zizkov TV Tower. To see more interesting masterpieces by talented artists, go through the Museum Kampa found inside the park. Whether you want to see buildings from the city's past, admire contemporary art or just spend time outside enjoying the fresh air, this park is the place for you.

Shooters' Island

You won't have to go very far at all from Kampa Park to reach Shooters' Island, a popular spot for locals, tourists and wildlife to hang out. This island park is just across the water from Kampa offering more stunning views of Charles Bridge, although that's not the only thing that makes the park so great.

Some of the most populous residents of Shooters' Island are coypu, also known as nutria, which are adorable little animals resembling something between a giant rat and a beaver. They are native to South America and look even cuter in person than they sound. People like to come to the park just to feed fruit to the small creatures but remember to always be cautious and respectful when coming close to wild animals. Inside the park, you'll also come across fun play areas and toys for the kids, including climbable rope bridges.

During the summer months there's a little caravan cafe with seating as well as an outdoor bar, so refreshments are never too far away in the event you forget to bring your own food. Towards the southern side of the park, you'll find Restaurant Strelecky Ostrov which isn't only a nice spot to grab dinner but also offers live entertainment appreciated by all people sitting in the park. You can get to the restaurant by walking down the steps but there's also an elevator that you can take from Legion Bridge, also called Legii Most.

Petrin Hill

Petrin Hill isn't only one of the best parks in Prague but is also one of the most beautiful places in the city. There are plenty of trees on the hill as well as footpaths that'll bring you all the way to the summit which reaches about 327 meters in height. If you don't want to walk all the way up you can also ride on the funicular. As you can imagine, it's a truly spectacular view of the park and city from the hill but the absolute best spot to take it all in is from the top of the Petřín Observation Tower.

The 299 steps up the tower can be challenging but it's definitely worth it for a bird's eye view of the city. The Observation Tower was constructed in the 19th century and was inspired by the Eiffel Tower, so you'll definitely notice resemblances. Fun fact; the accumulative height of the tower and the steep hill that it sits on puts it at about the same elevation as the Eiffel Tower! While you're in the park, visit the Stefanik Observatory as well as the Strahov Monastery. The latter is home to a brewery that has been around for centuries. One of the most important monuments in the park is the Memorial to the Victims of Communism.

There's lots more to do at the top of the park other than admire the city, like a fun mirror maze and the impressive Church of Saint Lawrence which was created in a Baroque style. The seminary garden, rose garden and orchard which houses more than 2,000 fruit trees are the ideal spots to take a stroll, and you can always stop at one of the benches or on the grassy areas to take in the nature around you. The beautiful gardens from the 1700s surrounding Vrtbovsky Palace are well worth checking out and often host concerts, and the aviary which is home to exotic birds is a must-see as well.

Divoka Sarka

A good day trip from Prague, this Prague park is made up of a huge nature reserve located towards the outskirts of the city. It's a large space at about 250 hectares in size and offers plenty to do with a history that dates all the way back to about the 9th century when Prague's first fortified town was constructed. Inside the park, you'll find a lake offering water sports like wakeboarding or slip and slides, and nearby cafes, ice cream and beer stands are also available to help keep you cool. If you aren't comfortable taking a dip in the lake you can stick to the outdoor swimming pool.

To get a glimpse into the park's history you can also visit the 9th-century Slavic fort found on site, and children will have a blast in the playgrounds. In the wintertime, the natural swimming ponds turn into frozen pools where you can ice skate and the rest of the grounds are great for cross-country skiing. There's an open-air amphitheater, cafes with outdoor terraces and playgrounds to explore, too.

The rocky valleys, meadows and thick woodlands making up the park provide some of the best hiking trails in the city and it's also one of the top destinations for birdwatching with nearly 100 different species living in the park. Locals and visitors alike come to spot the different birds, including the rare black woodpecker. There are cycling trails for those who want to go biking as well as football fields and volleyball courts that are open during most of the year.

Visit Prague and its most beautiful parks

Despite being most famous for its Prague museums and landmarks like Prague Castle, you'll find a surprising amount of public green spaces where you can meet up and enjoy nature with other like-minded people. You won't come across all the best parks during Prague tours, which make some of them hidden gems that can be found just a few minutes walk away from the top landmarks in the city.

Want to venture off of the beaten path and take advantage of budget-friendly things to do? Take a look at these Best Hikes in Prague the next time that you want to explore the great outdoors. If relaxation and sunshine are what you seek, you'll be interested in visiting these Beaches Near Prague.